Film pack structure

ABSTRACT

A dental X-ray film pack structure comprising film and an envelope that facilitates removal of the film from the envelope by mechanical means. A film pack is constructed and arranged for support upon a forked blade arranged for insertion into a portion of the envelope adjacent the film-containing portion so that the film may be forced past a closure flap and from the envelope by means of a pusher blade moving between the forked blades. The envelope is mechanically weakened along the line of movement of the pusher blade so that the envelope will tear readily while the film is forced out intact, for delivery to suitable processing means.

United States Inventors Richard S. Kampt Costa Mesa, Calif.; Charles F. Stevenson, Elgin, Ill. Appl No. 877,901 Filed Nov. 19, 1969 Patented Nov. 23, 197] Assignee Philco-Fomd Conpon Philadelphia, Pa. by said Knmpl FILM PACK STRUCTURE 8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl. 206/62 R, 229/51 WB, 250/68, 250/69 Int. Cl ..l365d 17/16, 865d 85/00, G03c 3/00 Field 03 Search 206/62, 4412; 214/305; 250/69, 68; 229/85, 5] LS, 51 R, 5 1 WE; 30/2 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,953,418 4/1934 MacDonald 206/44. 1 2 2,189,299 2/1940 Rinn 250/69 Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, .lr. Attorney-Carl H. Synnestvedt ABSTRACT: A dental X-ray film pack structure comprising film and an envelope that facilitates removal of the film from the envelope by mechanical means. A film pack is constructed and arranged for support upon a forked blade arranged for insertion into a portion of the envelope adjacent the film-containing portion so that the film may be forced past a closure flap and from the envelope by means of a pusher blade moving between the forked blades. The envelope is mechanically weakened along the line of movement of the pusher blade so that the envelope will tear readily while the film is forced out intact, for delivery to suitable processing means.

FILM PACK STRUCTURE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DISCLOSURE The film pack structure disclosed and claimed in the present invention presents improvements over film pack structure described in the copending U.S. Pat. application of Richard S. Kampf Ser. No. 684,804, filed Nov. 21, I967, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,487,966, issued Jan. 6, 1970, and entitled Film Pack Structure and Apparatus for Handling Same." The referenced disclosure is assigned to the Philco-Ford Corporation, the assignee of Richard S. Kampf, coinventor of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improved film pack structure particularly adapted for handling by apparatus for automatically stripping exposed film, such for example as dental X-ray film, so that it can be processed by suitable developing apparatus.

The general objective of the present invention is provision of improved X-ray film pack structure that especially lends the pack to automatic handling by a self-contained film processing apparatus, and which pack structure lends itself to manufacture by conventional film pack production machinery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In achievement of the above objectives, and in common with the above-referenced disclosure, a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a film pack including a lightimpervious envelope portion for containing the 'film, a second envelope portion for receiving spaced blades for supporting the pack, and a closure flap arranged to close both envelope portions. The closure flap is so constructed and arranged, and the film is of such rigidity, as to accommodate unfolding engagement of the flap by the film and passage of the film from the envelope under the urging of means movable between the spaced blades to rend the envelope along a line portion thereof. The present improvement is characterized particularly by formation of the envelope edge so that the pivot point of the flap is displaced'from the region of engagement by the film to ensure opening of the flap with minimum stressing of the film. Also, the line portion along which the envelope is torn is weakened, yet lighttight, to ensure clean tearing of the envelope.

The manner in which the objectives and advantages of the invention may best be achieved will be appreciated from a consideration of the following description, taken in light ofthe accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGS. 1 through 5 are explodedviews, in perspective, of the various stages of fabrication of a film pack embodying the invention;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view through a portion of the pack shown in FIG. 5, taken generally along the line indicated by arrows SA-SA applied thereto;

FIG. 6 is a perspective showing of a completed film pack embodying the invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional-type view, showing the pack parts in elevation and somewhat separated, the view being taken generally along the line indicated by arrows 7-7 applied to FIG. 6; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are showings of the film pack illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, in combination with apparatus particularly adapted for handling the same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With more detailed reference to the drawing, construction of the film pack A (FIGS. 6 to 9) to which this invention is directed will be appreciated from a description of the several steps carried out in assembly of the pack. Beginning with FIG. I, a blank 10 is formed from suitable stock, for example,

2 paper-aluminum-paper laminate, and flaps 11, end flaps 12, and comer tabs 13 turned at right angles to the main panel portion 14 of the blank. A generally rectangular paper blank 15, about the same size as the panel portion 14, and also having a layer of aluminum, is placed atop panel portion 14, with the aluminum layer up. The edges of blank 15 are then heat sealed, in accordance with known practice, to confronting regions of panel portion 14.

The blank 15 and panel 14 thus assembled, and as shown in FIG. 2, are placed between mating portions 16 and 17 of a die as shown in FIG. 3, and are squeezed to form a recessed central portion and a raised edge portion of confronting panel portion 14 and blank 15, substantially in the region of the above-described heat seal. Forming as described creates the cross section substantially as seen in FIG. 7, and which will be discussed later in the description.

With reference to FIG. 4, a film 21, for example a dental X- ray film chip, is disposed atop the upwardly facing aluminum side of blank 15, and another blank 22 is placed atop the film with its aluminum side facing downwardly. The aluminum layers are provided to avoid possible effects of residual chemicals in the paper. Continuing to FIG. 5, respective side and end flaps II and 12, and corner tabs l3 are folded down into contact with the paper side of blank 22. Flaps 11 only are then heat sealed to the upper surface of blank 22 for reasons to be more fully explained below.

Still with reference to FIG. 5, and further to FIG. 6, an outer panel blank 23 of paper-lead metal laminate is disposed atop the blank 22 and the fiaps and tabs thereon. The layer of lead metal serves as an X-ray shield for the rear of the film pack. Blank23 is thereupon heat sealed to side flaps II, to one of end flaps l2 (e.g., the right-hand fiap as viewed in the drawing) and to the two adjacent comer tabs 13. The other tabs 13 (left hand) are left free, and the heat seal on the flap 12 (left hand) extending between the free tabs 13 is confined to two short segments disposed astridethe centerline of the packets, and designated for convenience by the letter B.

For reasons that will be appreciated more fully from what follows, each of the paper layers of the various elements of paper-metal laminate is slit through along the line of the major axis of symmetry of the film packet to provide a weakened envelope portion. These slits are designated by the reference character S in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. The slit S provided in the outer panel blank 23 appears to particularly good advantage in the sectional showing of FIG. 5A.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, it will be appreciated that a film packet 'A made in accordance with the present invention is especially adapted for handling by film stripping apparatus of the type disclosed and claimed in the referenced patent of Richard S. Kampf. As is seen in perspective in FIG. 8, forked blades 25 are supported on a base 24 forming the spokes of a conveyor wheel having a hub portion 26 and a rim portion 27. Blades 25 are insertable just under the end of outer panel 23 which is sealed relatively loosely in the regions B (FIG. 6), and into the empty compartment portion defined by outer panel 23 and confronting panel 22. As the packet is forced further onto blades 25, the lower end of panel 23 is curled outwardly by the sloping lower portions of blades 25 to ensure detachment of panel 23 from the end of flap 12 to which it is loosely sealed. As illustrated to advantage in FIGS. 8 and 9, a movably mounted pusher blade 28 is moved downwardly between blades 25 to tear the envelope panels along weakened portions S thereof, pushing the film 21 as it moves. Film 21 first moves into contact with flap 12, pivoting it about its offset raised edge portion shown at 12a in FIGS. 7 and 9, and forcing it open as the film is urged from the envelope. It will be appreciated that raising of the edge extends the pivot point of the flap away from the plane of the film, and hence the region of its engagement by film 21, to ensure optimum unfolding leverage. Moreover, the raised edge affords tactile means for orienting the film pack both for exposure to X-rays and for impaling on the forks 25.

is provided with side It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the invention provides improved X-ray film pack structure that lends itself especially to automatic handling by suitable film stripping and processing apparatus.

We claim:

I. In a photographic film pack comprising an envelope having a pair of adjacent, confronting compartment sections at least one of which is lighttight and each of which includes adjacent open end portions, photographic film in the recited one lighttight compartment section, the other of said compartment section being empty, and a flap affixed along an edge of said envelope and folded to cover said open end portions of both compartment sections, said fiap including a free edge portion extending into the empty compartment section and a folded portion adjacent the lighttight compartment section, the improvement wherein said flap extends transversely of said pack from the recited free edge portion to a flap fold region, said lighttight compartment being defined in part by an outer wall panel of said envelope having a raised peripheral portion of greater transverse extent than the thickness of the envelope portion overlying the film, said flap fold region being disposed along said raised peripheral portion and said flap comprising a segment of said raised transversely extending peripheral portion, the construction and arrangement being characterized in that support means is insertable into the empty compartment section to support said pack while accommodating movement of blade means operable to slit said envelope and push the film to open the flap by forcing the free edge portion from the empty compartment and unfolding it about the recited fold region. and further in that said raised peripheral portion affords tactile means for orienting the film pack both for exposure to light and for insertion of said support means.

2. A film pack according to claim I, and further characterized in that said envelope includes weakened wall sections confronting one another and said film, and positioned to facilitate the recited slitting of the envelope.

3. A film pack according to claim 2 and characterized in that: said film is X-ray sensitive, said lighttight compartment section is X-ray transparent; and a layer of lead foil is included in a wall section of said other compartment section.

4. A film pack according to claim 2, and characterized in that said wall sections comprise paper-metal laminates and, in that the paper layers thereof are slit to provide the recited weakened wall sections.

5. A film pack according to claim 4, and characterized in that one wall section of said empty compartment section comprises a paper-lead metal laminate, and in that said film is X- ray sensitive.

6. A dental X-ray film pack comprising an outer envelope having a central, generally rectangular panel section, a generally rectangular X-ray film on said panel section, a first, generally rectangular envelope panel extending over said film and substantially the size of said central panel section, said central panel section having a peripheral flap portion folded first away from, then onto said first envelope panel whereby said fiap portion extends transversely of said pack a distance substantially greater than the thickness of the film-containing portion of the envelope, and a second, generally rectangular envelope panel confronting said first panel and secured to said flap portions along at least three edges of said pack, the fourth edge portion being loosely adherent to its confronting fiap.

7. An X-ray film pack according to claim 6, and characterized in that said second panel portion is a laminate of paper and lead metal.

8. An X-ray film pack according to claim 7 and, characterized in that each said first and second panels and said central panel section includes weakened, coincident line portions extending across a central region of said pack at substantially right angles to the recited loosely adherent flap portion and confronting edge.

k k i 

1. In a photographic film pack comprising an envelope having a pair of adjacent, confronting compartment sections at least one of which is lighttight and each of which includes adjacent open end portions, photographic film in the recited one lighttight compartment section, the other of said compartment section being empty, and a flap affixed along an edge of said envelope and folded to cover said open end portions of both compartment sections, said flap including a free edge portion extending into the empty compartment section and a folded portion adjacent the lighttight compartment section, the improvement wherein said flap extends transversely of said pack from the recited free edge portion to a flap fold region, said lighttight compartment being defined in part by an outer wall panel of said envelope having a raised peripheral portion of greater transverse extent than the thickness of the envelope portion overlying the film, said flap fold region being disposed along said raised peripheral portion and said flap comprising a segment of said raised transversely extending peripheral portion, the construction and arrangement being characterized in that support means is insertable into the empty compartment section to support said pack while accommodating movement of blade means operable to slit said envelope and push the film to open the flap by forcing the free edge portion from the empty compartment and unfolding it about the recited fold region, and further in that said raised peripheral portion affords tactile means for orienting the film pack both for exposure to light and for insertion of said support means.
 2. A film pack according to claim 1, and further characterized in that said envelope includes weakened wall sections confronting one another and said film, and positioned to facilitate the recited slitting of the envelope.
 3. A film pack according to claim 2 and characterized in that: said film is X-ray sensitive, said lighttight compartment section is X-ray transparent; and a layer of lead foil is included in a wall section of said other compartment section.
 4. A film pack according to claim 2, and characterized in that said wall sections comprise paper-metal laminates and, in that the paper layers thereof are slit to provide the recited weakened wall sections.
 5. A film pack according to claim 4, and characterized in that one wall section of said empty compartment section comprises a paper-lead metal laminate, and in that said film is X-ray sensitive.
 6. A dental X-ray film pack comprising an outer envelope having a central, gEnerally rectangular panel section, a generally rectangular X-ray film on said panel section, a first, generally rectangular envelope panel extending over said film and substantially the size of said central panel section, said central panel section having a peripheral flap portion folded first away from, then onto said first envelope panel whereby said flap portion extends transversely of said pack a distance substantially greater than the thickness of the film-containing portion of the envelope, and a second, generally rectangular envelope panel confronting said first panel and secured to said flap portions along at least three edges of said pack, the fourth edge portion being loosely adherent to its confronting flap.
 7. An X-ray film pack according to claim 6, and characterized in that said second panel portion is a laminate of paper and lead metal.
 8. An X-ray film pack according to claim 7 and, characterized in that each said first and second panels and said central panel section includes weakened, coincident line portions extending across a central region of said pack at substantially right angles to the recited loosely adherent flap portion and confronting edge. 